/Flashback:
Callie POV:
Callie rolled around on her bed, messing up her hairstyle, not that it really bothered her much as she wasn't going out into public anytime soon. Thinking aloud to herself, she pondered taking a break, especially after all the hard work on the mission.
Callie: You know, maybe a vacation wouldn't hurt. I don't have any filming in the coming weeks... OOO OOO! What if I brought Marie too?! And my niece as well! It'll be the most awesomest vacation everrrrr!
She squirmed around on the bed trying to fish her phone out of her pocket, bringing it out and raising into the air in triumph before going online and searching for ideal vacation spots for 3.
/End of flashback
Maize POV:
Maize had been silently laying in the living room at home kicking her feet in the air, reading away at her favourite sea life book, always being fascinated in the creatures that still dwelled in the sea. Despite not being a very rich resident, she lived in a very nice house, well it was more accurate to call it a penthouse as if one should look past the couch, they could see the city of Inkopolis and it's towering skyscrapers window leading out to the balcony, well yes, she lived in a penthouse.
Her reading had gone without any disruptions, peacefully listening to the music playing that made up the ambience before hearing the sound of slippers approaching the living room from the kitchen and hearing a voice speak up to her.
Marie: Now Maize, what did I say about taking up the entire couch?
Maize: Sorry mum...
She straightened up and leaned back against the cushions, glancing up at her mother. How else would Maize be living in such a fine home? Well, being the adopted daughter of one of the biggest popstars the world has ever seen has its perks. She watches Marie settling down and relaxing next to her, in a dressing gown coloured her iconic green, with a mug full of coffee in hand.
Marie: So, whatcha reading?
Maize: Oh-! It's just a book on the life in the sea. There's just something fascinating knowing there's still creatures living there even after we evolved and moved to the surface!
Marie: I have to admit, I've actually never really given that much thought... well you gave me my new question of the week.
Maize softly smiled while listening to Marie let out a slight giggle. The weekends were always a nice and relaxing time for the both of them, there's no stress as Marie's podcast she can do from anywhere, and Maize fortunately had always kept up with her schoolwork.
The peaceful silence lasted only so long before the both of them jumped from the sound of the front door slamming open accompanied with a high-pitched voice singing out.
Callie: Pack your things~! We're going on vacation!
Maize looked in confusion at seeing her auntie burst into the scene twirling around and watched her mother get up and put her mug down onto the coffee table to have a chat with her auntie.
Marie: Vacation?! Callie, you can't just spring ideas like this without any warning!
Callie: I meannnn, I could've, I know, but I wanted to surprise you!
Marie: And you can't just come in and start throwing around 'vacation' like it's a done deal-
Callie: I've already booked the flight~!
Marie: You couldn't have told me before you booked it?!
Callie: Oops?
Marie: I could've called Maize's school before you... urghhh!
Maize only listened to the two bicker with one another before hearing her mum scoff in annoyance and watched her auntie approach her with a beaming smile of excitement, as is normal for her.
Callie: Sooo Maize, my favourite niece! Are you excited to go on vacation?
Maize: I've never actually been on a vacation before... but it sounds quite fun, Auntie Callie.
Callie: I'm glad to hear that, I'll make sure you have the most fun time! I promise!
Marie: When do we leave?!
Callie: Oh! Uhhhhh... when was it...? Next week, that's right! Next week!
The two only heard a loud facepalm and Marie mutter to herself, Maize could understand her mother's reaction somewhat but didn't see a big issue with it. Callie then joined her on the couch and gladly made herself at home despite having just invited herself in.
Marie POV:
A week had passed by with stress being the one thing circulating her mind, having to do spontaneous packing for herself and Maize to coordinate with Callie's vacation plans. The worst part was having to call her daughter's school to set up a holiday leave, but much to her surprise it wasn't that bad for two reasons, Maize was one of the top students, and it also must've been celebrity bias in the teacher's voice. It always irked Marie a little when people would put her on such a pedestal, but she didn't pay it much mind and instead thought of how proud she was of Maize for keeping up with work.
Marie: *sigh* Okay, that should be everything, I think... No, relax Marie. Focus. I should check on Maize. Cal really should've discussed this with me before springing it on us, though...
She left the master bedroom before making her way down the hallway to Maize's room, politely knocking on the door before entering to see the yellow haired inkling sitting on her bed, dressed in her usual white tee, a cherished green shawl that she had given her, a mini skirt with shorts underneath and maroon leather boots. Maize was gently kicking her feet and staring at the wall as if lost in thought until her trance was broken by Marie entering the room.
Marie: Alright, Maize, are you packed and ready? Toothbrush, swimwear, pyjamas, clothes, purse, books, phone, sunscreen?
Maize: Yes mum. You helped me pack. You even took me shopping with Auntie Callie to get more clothes...
Marie: Right, right... I remember now, sorry...
She took a few deep breaths, becoming extremely forgetful from everything happening lately, she pulled out her phone from her pocket to check her texts for any last-minute updated before they had to leave.
Marie: Your auntie says we'll meet her at the airport. Grab your suitcase and I'll see you at the car.
Maize: Okay!
She watched Maize hop off the bed and take her suitcase with her out of the room, leaving her to be alone in there as she checked the rest of the house to make sure it was all ready to be left alone for a few weeks. Fortunately, throughout the week the two managed to have majority of things in the fridge eaten, but it would mean she needs to sporadically shop when they get back.
Marie: Wait why am I thinking about that... this is a vacation, not a work trip.
She continued combing through the rest of the house to make sure she had everything before grabbing her own suitcase and closing all the doors, locking the balcony door before heading out the front and double checking she locked the door. She walked over to her car where she saw Maize waiting for her next to the boot, she quietly pulled out her car keys and decided to be a little mischievous with her and unlock the boot to which she startled Maize.
Maize: AHHH! Not funny, mum!
Marie: Oh come on, sweetie, it was a little funny.
She watched Maize cross her arms and huff to which she only responded with a light laugh before coming over to her. She grabbed the suitcases and bags that they did have and loaded them into the car, closing the boot when she was done and getting into the driver's seat while Maize was sitting in the passenger seat, still looking mildly annoyed from the scare but otherwise just in her own world. She started up the car as it came to life and started driving out and onto their destination, Inkopolis Airport.
She and Maize had met up with Callie after they arrived, and fortunately only Maize had to stay out of disguise; as the cousins had to make sure not to get swarmed by fans, covering their beauty marks with face masks. After having already checked their bags and put them in to be put into the plane, unfortunately, rather than Callie going into the first-class lane, in her excitement she managed to go into the economy security clearance line, which made this whole endeavour go on so much longer with an unreasonably slow-moving queue. Worst part was now that there were people behind them, they couldn't back out from the line now.
Callie: Are we moving yet?
Marie: No, not yet.
Callie: Come onnnnnn, this is boriiinnggggg!
Marie: This trip was your idea, Cal.
Callie: Well, this part wasn't in the brochure.
She did her best to ignore her cousin's boredom, letting the minutes pass by as they slowly moved to the front of the queue, this was the first time in forever that she had gone through this line before they rose to stardom. She looked to Maize who just seemed to be quietly waiting slightly in front of her and her cousin, she remembered that this probably is the first time she's ever been on a plane before so this is a good way for her to know what an airport can be like.
Marie: You alright sweetheart?
Maize: Hmm? Yeah, I'm okay. There's a lot of people...
Marie: There sure are.
Callie: Maize! Marie! Come on slowpokes!
She looked back up and saw Callie waiting at the front of security as she quickly hurried Maize as they were holding up the line. She profusely apologised to the staff handling their baggage and going through the detectors. They made it through without any major hassle, and Marie couldn't help but notice the stares of some of the people, but as soon as the trio were through, Callie darted off to find their gate.
Marie: Callie, wait-!
Maize: We'll catch up to her mum, it's okay... she seems very excited to be going on vacation.
Marie: Yeah, we'll meet her at the gate then.
The two wandered through the airport for a short while, seeing the whole place buzzing with activity before eventually finding Callie who was excitedly bouncing on one of the seats at the gate, eagerly waiting to go despite boarding not starting at least for another hour.
Callie: So Maize, you're gonna get the first-class experience! You excited?!
Maize: It's my first time ever being on a plane actually... I've wondered about what it's like.
Callie: Whaaat, no way!
Marie: And we would've gone through the first-class security queue if you didn't run off.
Callie: No need to be a sour puss about it, grandma.
Marie: Says the one who was always complaining.
Callie: NUH UH!
She couldn't help but shake her head as she watched Callie stick her tongue out at her. Knowing there was nothing better to do, she just sat down between Maize and her cousin and started scrolling through social media to kill time.
Maize POV:
She was sitting at the window seat with her mother next to her and her auntie at the other seat next to theirs, the whole flight she felt scared to the point where she was gripping her mother's hand tightly especially with any turbulence, but when the plane landed she felt less shaky. The intercom came on after a few moments as the pilot made a welcome announcement.
Pilot: We have now landed and welcome to Coral Horizon, the local time is 4:23pm and the weather is clear and sunny. Please remain seated until the seatbelt sign has turned off, thank you.
She had thankfully calmed down now that the plane was slowing down and was taxiing as she looked over at her family, her mum hardly seemed fazed, calmly adjusting her seatbelt. Callie on the other hand was pumping her fists in excitement with limitless energy.
Callie: Oh my cod! We're hereee!
Marie: You alright, sweetheart? You're a little pale...
Maize: Y-yeah... fine...
Marie: Don't worry, first time flying, I get it. Mums got you.
A few minutes later, the seatbelt signs flicked off and the rest of the passengers had started getting up and grabbing their inflight luggage. It took her a moment to raise herself from her seat, and she did so shakily, before grabbing her own bag and clinging herself to Marie's side who paid no mind as they made their way off the plane.
Callie: Yeesh... are you okay, Maize? You look like you swallowed a fish.
Maize: Fine... just fine...
Marie: If you want to know something funny Maize, Auntie Callie used to throw up on flights all the time-
Callie: HEY!
She could hear Marie still talking to her but they more fell on deaf ears as it looked like Callie was trying to stop her, but Marie's hand was against Callie's face so she couldn't reach.
The family had walked through the airport without interruption, aside from Marie having to grab Callie to not run off and buy souvenirs from the shops just yet as they hadn't even got their suitcases or even got to where they were staying.
Marie: Cal, it can wait, it's not going anywhere.
Callie: But Marieeeeeee, loookkk, it's so cool!
Maize had recovered from her prior feeling and was looking at the sights once they had all left the airport and properly got outside and the sight to her was nothing short of magical. The smell of the fresh tropical air filled her nostrils as she looked upon where she was.
An island resort, but not just any, little to her knowledge, this was the highest rated one and most expensive to go to for vacation. Thinking about it, she could not expect less from the likes of her auntie, as she had been told she attempted to buy several expensive things to spoil her, all to which Marie denied as she's trying to raise her humbly.
Maize: Wait, why are we passing by the hotels?
Callie: Because I got us something better!
Marie: You didn't...
Callie: Mhmm!
She watched Callie nod excitedly and speed forward but not as fast as when they got in the airport to go here as she was leading them to where they were staying. When they had gotten away from all the crowded areas, they turned a corner on the way to the beach and there it was, a special beach house reserved for V.I.P's that overlooked the ocean.
Callie: Tadaaa!
Callie had spun around and threw her arms out in her grand unveiling of the place they were staying.
Maize: Woahhh...!
Marie: As much as I'd deny this... it's already been paid for, let's make the most of it.
Callie: Yeayaaa!
The three went up to the front door as Callie took the key from a sealed letter for them, not even taking a moment to read it before she unlocked the door to go in. She watched Marie take the letter and actually read through it as they stepped through as well.
Callie: Sweet paradise! I am so ready!
Marie: Callie, we only just got here. Let's get ourselves settled first. Oh, apparently this package comes with free drinks, you really did buy everything good when it came to this.
Callie: Why wouldn't I? I'm me! Come on Maize, let's go find your room.
Maize: O-okay!
She felt herself get pulled away by her auntie, leaving her mum there on her own to sort through everything as she went to go find which room would be hers. There was nothing that was more breathtaking than this trip, and it had only just begun.
2,644 Words
Alright my dear readers, from here onward, you are free to request any kinds of chapters you would like to see written, or if you want your character or another character as a cameo, I will gladly accept if it's how I see fit!